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Do I need a ridgeline?

So what do you think? Any advantages, disadvantages? I ask because I want to know if I should add one to the hammock I'm making. So far I figure it will; make it easier to decide on a tarp length, put the tarp up, I can store stuff on the line via a gear loft.

The first RL I made was just a looong whoopie sling. Now whenever I make a new hammock I use that to find the sweet spot, then make a new, non-adjustable one to save on weight and bulk. I have never not used a RL, just because I like to know my hammock is hanging the same way every time.

I may be dumb, but at least I'm ugly!

I've done so much, with so little, for so long, now I can do anything with nothing.

The point being to set a consistent sag in the hammock so that every set up is near identical one to the next...any cheap Paracord will not do. Paracord is nylon and made to stretch. How much varies by a number of factors but the sort of it is that it will not be consistent. Paracord is one of the worst possible choices for a ridgeline or most any hammock application...especially suspension/hang related applications.

Look at Dynaglide, lash it/zing it, any sufficiently strong spectra/dyneema based rope will do much better and function in the way intended for a hammock ridgeline.

If you use a hollow-core braided line like Amsteel (or even something smaller like Zing-It) you can make it adjustable by making what amounts to an extra-long whoopie sling - no hardware / no added weight. One end has a locked brummel and the other end is adjustable (put that end down by your feet so the tail doesn't hang in your face. If you find yourself not adjusting it anymore because you like where it is, just pull the tail out a little, cut it off and bury it back in the hollow core - viola! a fixed ridge line.

Having said all that, you don't "need" one. After you hang a few times, you can get the angle right without a ridge line. I mostly like mine for hanging things off of it and keeping the bugnet off my face.